My Dear Friend

My Dear Friend

My wife and I were talking about schools and teachers that influenced us now that we have a child at school. Geoff taught me in year 4 at Castle Cove Primary School. He was an amazing teacher and I have him to thank for inspiring me particularly in maths which has shaped my career immensely. Was aware he wasn't in teaching for as long as he should have been being such and amazing teacher. Very sad to hear he was taken too soon. My thoughts go to his family and friends. I'm sure I'm not the only student which can truly say Geoff was my most influential teacher in my education and wish now I could thank him in person.

I still think about my mate Paton regularly. I am still so blown away that he is no longer alive. He was a larger than life character with that big booming voice. We did so many things together especially when we were younger, so many surfing memories, from surfing insane waves to nearly drowning on a couple of memorable occasions. I project manage the development of health and aged care facilities all over the place, but recently I started a project where the aged care operator had a number of facilities. One of the managers took me on a tour of of their facilities to view their operations. This was the most bizarre experience. Firstly she drove me to one to their facilities in Beecroft where Geoff parents used to live and where I stayed a number of times, followed by the next facility in Hunters Hill not fifty metres from his place that burnt down where Geoff had some triumphs and some great disappointments, I must say that I was struggling to keep it together at this stage. The final inspection was in Mosman, and low and behold we drove right past Geoff's old one bedroom unit on Military Road that he spent so much time and effort doing up. I don't know I have never been a terribly spiritual guy, you tell me is this not unusual to say the least. Today I went for a walk along Scarborough Beach (near Stanwell Park) and reminded myself that when Geoff first started his teaching college study he was staying with a ministers sone nick named "Rotter" by his father. This place was incredible, the house is gone but the block and a new house is there in its place. The location was amazing about fifty metres off Scarborough Beach. Geoff was a better mate to me than I was to him and at one time we unfortunately had a falling out. We had resorted our friendship, but it was never as it was. Anyway I will always love my mate Paton and hope that he is where he wants to be. Moggy

I have just heard the sad news of Geoff's parting. I taught with him at Mona Vale Primary School and then again at Elanora Heights School. We had such good times especially with the wonderful musical play that Geoff wrote and we all contributed our creative energy to it. It was called "In Search of Dorothy"' a musical adventure searching for Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz after she gets lost in strange lands. It was amazing and Geoff, colour blind as he was, painted the most amazingly artistic and colourful huge backdrops for each scene. We also had fun socialising with Geoff- Angela, Gil and the rest. To my surprise, about a year after I moved to Elanora school, Geoff got a posting there and we did the Dorothy play all over again, with a few changes. It was so exciting, even the lunch time rehearsals. Geoff was such a creative person but that was only one side of him. There was the dare devil side. How could we forget the day he skydived onto the oval at Elanora School, a tricky location, on a hill and surrounded by bush, but he and his friend did it and it made the news on channel 10. Angela and Gil and I were just talking about him the other day, not knowing that he was no longer with us. We were lamenting that we had lost contact and sadly we are too late. You were an amazing person Geoff. There was no one like you and we have very fond memories of fun times and lots of laughs. Our thoughts are with Geoff's family and friends. Rhonda Mawer

Knew Geoff in the 1970s in early high school. We were very saddened to hear about his passing. Only found this tribute today... Deepest sympathy to Liliana, Helen, Jenny and all the family. Vale Geoff - always the daredevil/wild one!! Michelle Brown and family

What a shame to loose a lively person like you. I will miss my yearly telephone calls at work. Regards

Geoffro Now that your in Gods hands make sure you go "Like a Bat out of Hell" Blue Skies Love Mike

Geoffro Now that your in Gods hands make sure you go "Like a Bat out of Hell" Blue Skies Love Mike

I will always remember my uncles strength in nature. He was always the dare devil. Jumping out of planes, spinning planes in loops and teaching high school... He had his artistic side in creating masterpieces that he could call home. I remember when he asked me to be his groomsman for his wedding to Beautiful Aunty Lil. He brought out the FUN in people as he would tell his stories. I will always be happy knowing that i had an amazing uncle who cared so much for everyone in his life. Cheers Uncle Geoff I will Remember you

I will always remember my uncles strength in nature. He was always the dare devil. Jumping out of planes, spinning planes in loops and teaching high school... He had his artistic side in creating masterpieces that he could call home. I remember when he asked me to be his groomsman for his wedding to Beautiful Aunty Lil. He brought out the FUN in people as he would tell his stories. I will always be happy knowing that i had an amazing uncle who cared so much for everyone in his life. Cheers Uncle Geoff I will Remember you

I will always remember the days at Bankstown Airport spent playing with aircraft and hearing Geoff tell stories of his days as a teacher and Skydiver. Never short of something to say, Geoff told a great story. May he rest in peace. Joel and the Red Baron/Sydney Aerobatics crew.

Jennifer Paton

13 years ago

Thanks Joel for being at Geoff's farewell service . It was really lovely seeing you again on this very sad occassion. What a crowd turned up for Geoff......living proof of the fingerprint he left behind. It made me very proud. God Bless you , Jenny

My Big Brother Geoff was first born on the 6th Dec 1954 to Joan and Alexander Paton . Joan and Al didn't know then that their very own little Archer had arrived with his Bow and Arrow as a Sagitarian born on a Hot summers day in December, he would AIM that arrow very HIGH, always dreaming of piercing the moon, then HIGH on UP TO THE STARS, he was a born acheiver with a love of life, an EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURE. My memories of those adventures became alive when Geoff and I would reminisce. One very memorable moment Lauren Brenton and I remember the day at Elanora Primary School when Geoff and Steve Daskey put on an AIR show of their own!! to thrill your student and IGNITE a DESIRE to succeed and "GIVE IT A GO". Geoff performed his sky high stunts SKYDIVING in front of the whole school. A day we will never forget.! Once again I was Enthralled by my Big Brother, and my kids just ADORED YOU, Uncle Geoff. I smile amongst my tears.. May God Bless you in the "afterlife" and may you always SOAR with the ANGELS! I love you, we love you ALWAYS and FOREVER in our Hearts. Your little sis, Jenny xx

My Big Brother Geoff was first born on the 6th Dec 1954 to Joan and Alexander Paton . Joan and Al didn't know then that their very own little Archer had arrived with his Bow and Arrow as a Sagitarian born on a Hot summers day in December, he would AIM that arrow very HIGH, always dreaming of piercing the moon, then HIGH on UP TO THE STARS, he was a born acheiver with a love of life, an EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURE. My memories of those adventures became alive when Geoff and I would reminisce. One very memorable moment Lauren Brenton and I remember the day at Elanora Primary School when Geoff and Steve Daskey put on an AIR show of their own!! to thrill your student and IGNITE a DESIRE to succeed and "GIVE IT A GO". Geoff performed his sky high stunts SKYDIVING in front of the whole school. A day we will never forget.! Once again I was Enthralled by my Big Brother, and my kids just ADORED YOU, Uncle Geoff. I smile amongst my tears.. May God Bless you in the "afterlife" and may you always SOAR with the ANGELS! I love you, we love you ALWAYS and FOREVER in our Hearts. Your little sis, Jenny xx

My Big Brother Geoff was first born on the 6th Dec 1954 to Joan and Alexander Paton . Joan and Al didn't know then that their very own little Archer had arrived with his Bow and Arrow as a Sagitarian born on a Hot summers day in December, he would AIM that arrow very HIGH, always dreaming of piercing the moon, then HIGH on UP TO THE STARS, he was a born acheiver with a love of life, an EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURE. My memories of those adventures became alive when Geoff and I would reminisce. One very memorable moment Lauren Brenton and I remember the day at Elanora Primary School when Geoff and Steve Daskey put on an AIR show of their own!! to thrill your student and IGNITE a DESIRE to succeed and "GIVE IT A GO". Geoff performed his sky high stunts SKYDIVING in front of the whole school. A day we will never forget.! Once again I was Enthralled by my Big Brother, and my kids just ADORED YOU, Uncle Geoff. I smile amongst my tears.. May God Bless you in the "afterlife" and may you always SOAR with the ANGELS! I love you, we love you ALWAYS and FOREVER in our Hearts. Your little sis, Jenny xx

My Big Brother Geoff was first born on the 6th Dec 1954 to Joan and Alexander Paton . Joan and Al didn't know then that their very own little Archer had arrived with his Bow and Arrow as a Sagitarian born on a Hot summers day in December, he would AIM that arrow very HIGH, always dreaming of piercing the moon, then HIGH on UP TO THE STARS, he was a born acheiver with a love of life, an EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURE. My memories of those adventures became alive when Geoff and I would reminisce. One very memorable moment Lauren Brenton and I remember the day at Elanora Primary School when Geoff and Steve Daskey put on an AIR show of their own!! to thrill your student and IGNITE a DESIRE to succeed and "GIVE IT A GO". Geoff performed his sky high stunts SKYDIVING in front of the whole school. A day we will never forget.! Once again I was Enthralled by my Big Brother, and my kids just ADORED YOU, Uncle Geoff. I smile amongst my tears.. May God Bless you in the "afterlife" and may you always SOAR with the ANGELS! I love you, we love you ALWAYS and FOREVER in our Hearts. Your little sis, Jenny xx

Mark and I will miss you terribly....we already do. You have a special place in our hearts. We will still go on that fishing trip with Liliana....and throw a line in for you as well. RIP mate. xx